Boat launching and recovery vehicular device

ABSTRACT

This invention is a lightweight, air transportable vehicular device for launching and recovering a motor surf boat or the like through heavy surf. The vehicle is adaptable to both sloped beach and beachless waterfront conditions and requires a low pulling or pushing force for launching and recovery.

[111 3,744,072 [451 July 10,1973

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS BOAT LAUNCHING AND RECOVERY VEHICULAR DEVICE [75] Inventors: Otis R. Pannell; Roy H. Peterson,

both of Alexandria, Va.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as Primary Examiner-Albert J Makay represented by the Secretary of the y, Washington DC. Att0rney Harry M. Saragovrtz, Edward J. Kelly et al.

Apr. 6, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT This invention is a lightweight, air transportable vehic- [22] Filed:

[2]] Appl. No.: 241,726

ular device for launching and recovering a motor surf boat or the like through heavy surf. The vehicle is adaptable to both sloped beach and beachless water- [52] US. 9/1 T, 214/500, 280/414 R [51] Int. Cl. G60p 3/10 214/500, 505, 506,

front conditions and requires a low pulling or pushing force for launching and recovery.

[58] Field of 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJUHOBB SIEEIIBFQ Fig. 2

BOAT LAUNCHING AND RECOVERY VEHICULAR DEVICE THE INVENTORS The inventors are Otis R. Pannell, 9023 McNair Drive, Alexandria, Va. 22308 and Roy H. Peterson, 8741 Plymouth Road, Alexandria, Va. 22308.

GOVERNMENT USE The invention described herein may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment to the inventors of any royalties thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A wide variety of boat launching and recovery vehicles have been devised for use in boat ramp circumstances. In essence, these prior art devices are boat trailering devices and design emphasis has been placed on over the road vehicular use of the device in most instances. Few boat launching and recovery vehicular devices have been developed which are especially adaptable to the launch and recovery of boats in other than a boat ramp circumstance. Prior art vehicular devices have been developed for gradual sloped beaches or beachless waterfront applications but few, if any, have been suitable for use in both types of waterfront applications. It will be appreciated that versatility is an essential requirement in military tactical mooring equipment and that a simple, basic, lightweight vehicle which is dependable irrespective of the waterfront circumstance and sufficiently low cost to be considered reasonably expendable, if necessary, is needed and would be welcomed as a substantial advancement of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The vehicular device of this invention is intended as an integral element of tactical mooring installation equipment for military applications involving diverse launch and recovery conditions. A particularly important requirement, in military applications especially, is easy transportability and the vehicle of this invention is sufficiently lightweight and sturdy to permit airdrop of the vehicle at desired locations.

The structure of the vehicular device of this invention will accomodate a wide variety of watercraft and is designed to minimize rollback during the recovery operation when the tow force is removed.

In accordance with the invention, the bottom surface of the frame is curvilinear and the unique pivoted tow tongue arrangement affords a two level beaching operation, that is, the bottom surface of the frame is in direct contactwith the ground when beached except when under tow.

A full appreciation of the benefits to be derived from this invention will be obtained upon a more comprehensive understanding of the invention for which reference is had to the following description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of one embodiment of the device of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on level ground with no pull force on the tow tongue.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on level ground with a pull force on the tow tongue.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 afloat with no pull force on the tow tongue.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 afloat with a pull force on the tow tongue as the embodiment crosses a submerged sand bar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of the device of this invention suitable for use with U. S. Coat Guard surf boats (MSB) or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the device consists of a frame member 11 comprising first and second planar segments identified at 12 and 13, which intersect at a line of intersection, 14. The frame member 11 may be elongated, as shown, with a defined keel line, indicated by the dashed line 15, which uniformly divides each of the segments 12 and 13. In accordance with the invention, the frame member 11 includes side members 16 and suitable cushioning support means, indicated at 17, which serve as a cradle dock to support the bottom and/0r sides of the cradled boat during the launching or recovery operation. It will be noted that the frame member is adapted to cradle the boat with the keel thereof substantially in alignment with the defined keel line 15 of the frame member 11. It is readily apparent that the side members 16 and the cushioning support means 17 may be adjustable as necessary to cradle a variety of different boat hull configurations.

Two pneumatic float members 18 and 19 are provided in a side mounted arrangement to maintain a water draft appropriate to permit easy ingress egress of the boat in the afloat circumstance. It will be appreciated that other types of float members may be substituted, if desired, and that identifiable float members, as such, may be omitted if the frame assembly itself is sufficiently water bouyant.

In accordance with the invention, a neutrally bouyant roller means 21 is attached to one end of the frame member 11 with the axis of rotation thereof, indicated at 22, in orthogonal relation with respect the defined keel line 15 of the frame member 11 and with the roller so disposed and rotatably mounted on the frame member as to extend a selected distance below said frame member 11. It will be appreciated that a neutrally bouyant roller may be fabricated of suitable lightweight alloys and materials, may be fluid filled in whole or in part or may be merely hollowed with a multitude of perforations to permit water to enter during the afloat phase, if desired.

Also-in accordance with the invention, a tow tongue 23 is pivotedly connected to the frame member 11 at the opposite end thereof with the pivot connection axis of rotation 24 in orthogonal relation with respect the defined keel line 15 and parallel to the axis of rotation 22 of said roller means 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the tow point, which may be a ring, as indicated at 25, or any other coupler means, is disposed from the pivot connection axis of rotation 24 and in substantial alignment with said defined keel line 15. It will be appreciated that irrespective .of the actual configuration of the tow tongue 23, a towing force, when applied in substantial alignment with said defined keel line 15, will produce a line of force between the tow point 25 and the pivot connection axis of rotation 24.

For reasons which will become apparent hereinafter,

a second roller means 26, having an axis of rotation 27 which is parallel to the axis of rotation 24, is mounted on the tow tongue 23 in offset relation with respect the aforesaid line of force between the tow tongue 25 and the pivot connection axis of rotation 24. The roller means 26 preferably is water bouyant but may be neutrally bouyant to permit pivot movement without buoyancy restriction and is so adapted in size, configuration, and mounting to support the frame member 11 when the assembly of this invention is under tow such that the roller means 26 extends a selected distance below the line of intersection 14 of frame member segments 12 and 13.

Braking means, for example disc brake means, as indicated at 28, may be incorporated, if desired, in conjunction with the roller means 21 to provide a controlled restriction of rotation thereof. The braking action may be initiated manually or automatically in accordance with movement of the tow tongue by mechanical, hydraulic or electrical means, not shown.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and are side view illustrations of thev embodiment of FIG. 1 in different operational circumstances. It will be appreciated that the vehicle of this invention is especially suitable for use in each such circumstance.

In FIG. 2, the vehicle of this invention is shown at rest on a substantially uniform level ground surface such as a gradual slope beach, with no pull force applied to the tow tongue.

It will be noted that the vehicle is supported at one end by the roller means 21 and at the other end by the bottom of the frame member 11. In particular, the bottom of the frame member 11, at the line of intersection 14 of the planar segments, is in direct contact with the ground surface. Thus, the vehicle is deterred from rolling by the weight of the vehicle and boat which provides a friction force when no pull force is applied to the tow tongue.

In FIG. 3, the vehicle of this invention is shown on a like ground surface but with a pull force applied to the tow tongue. In this illustration no braking restraint on the rear roller means 21 is applied and the pull force is divided between the lift force and the line of force between the tow point and the pivot connection as indicated by arrows. It will be appreciated that the lift force must counteract a full weight (vehicle and boat) tangential force at the initial pull and that once the full weight is lifted, the lift force which must be maintained is substantially less (an angular function of the full weight). It is evident that the braking restraint on the rear roller means 21 is especially useful at the initial pull stage as it permits application of a greater portion of the pull force to lift the vehicle and boat to the desired level above the ground surface. Thereupon, with the braking restraint removed, and with a lesser lift force requirement, the pull force can be more effectively applied to move the vehicle across the ground surface.

In FIG. 4, the vehicle of this invention is shown afloat, substantially at rest, with no pull force applied to the tow tongue. It will be noted that the neutrally bouyant roller 21 permits the draft level of the vehicle, as shown, and that the draft level in the illustration is correct for ingress egress of the surf boat. Thus, it will be seen that the device of this invention will readily mate with. the boat to be cradled and when cradled, the boat motive power may be utilized to direct the vehicle toward the beach landing area.

In FIG. 5, the vehicle of this invention is shown afloat but the bow of the vehicle has encountered a submerged sand bar obstacle of the type frequently encountered in uncharted landing operations. In this instance a 'pull force on the tow tongue submerges the roller 26 to lift the bow of the vehicle free of the sand bar obstacle. It will be appreciated that in the case of a neutrally bouyant roller 26, the roller 26 must contact the sand bar to lift the bow of the vehicle whereas in the case of a water bouyant roller 26, the bow may be lifted free without contacting the sand bar in selected instance.

In a typical recovery operation, the surf boat approaches the beach area, the vehicle of this invention is dropped or otherwise moved into the water, the surf boat enters the vehicle and utilizing the surf boat propulsion means, proceeds toward the shore line. Whereupon, a towing means, such as a tractor, is attached by line, chain or directly to the vehicle. Once attached, the vehicle is drawn ashore until properly beached and then the tow force is relaxed to drop the frame member to the beach surface. If the vehicle subsequently must be moved further inshore, the rear roller braking means is energized to raise the bow end as the pull force is applied. Once the bow end is lifted, the braking means is disengaged and the vehicle is drawn further inshore, as desired.

Similarly, in a typical launching operation, the rear roller braking means is energized and a push force is applied to raise the bow end. Once the bow end is lifted, the braking means is disengaged to the extent necessary, dependent upon slope involved and speed of slope descent desired until such point as the vehicle floats. whereupon, the motive power of the boat is utilized to move the vehicle-boat assemblage away from shore or to free the boat from the vehicle, as appropriate.

In a typical application the vehicle of this invention may be 30 feet long, l4-feet wide, 7 feet high and weigh approximately 2,650 pounds. It will be recognized, of course, that the configuration of the various elemental parts of the vehicle may vary from the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings and that it is within the purview of this disclosure, for example, to utilize dual or sectioned roller means in place of one or both of the single roller means specifically described with respect the embodiment of FIG. 1.

What is claimed is:

1. Boat launching and recovery vehicular device comprising:

an elongated frame member having first and second intersecting planar segments and a defined keel line which uniformly divides each of said segments, said frame member adapted to support an elongated boat structure in substantial alignment with said defined keel line,

first roller means connected to said frame member at one end of said keel line thereof and adapted to extend below the respective end of said frame member and to support the respective end of said frame member at a selected level above ground when said vehicular device is on substantially uniform level ground, said first roller means being neutrally bouyant in water and having an axis of rotation having a selected orthogonal relation with respect said keel line;

and a tow tongue member connected to said frame member at the opposite end of said keel line thereof and adapted to pivot therefrom about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said first roller means, said tow tongue member having a tow point disposed from the pivot connection to said frame member and substantially in alignment with said keel line of said frame memher;

second roller means connected to said tow tongue member, said second roller means being water bouyant and having an axis of rotation parallel to said axis of rotation of said tow tongue pivot connection and disposed in offset relation with respect the line of force between said pivot point connection and said tow point when said vehicular device is under tow, said second roller means adapted to extend below the line of intersection of said planar segments of said frame member and to support said frame member when said vehicular device is under tow such that the line of intersection of said planar segments of said frame member is at a selected level above ground when said vehicular device is on substantially uniform level ground.

2. A boat launching and recovery vehicular device as defined in claim 1 wherein first and second substantially identical water bouyant float members are disposed to either side of said elongated frame member substantially equidistant said defined keel line thereof.

3. A boat launching and recovery vehicular device as defined in claim 2 wherein one of said planar segments is longer than the other and said line of intersection thereof is in the vicinity of said tow tongue pivot connection.

4. A boat launching and recovery vehicular device as defined in claim 3 wherein said first roller means includes braking means for controlled restriction of rotation thereof. 

1. Boat launching and recovery vehicular device comprising: an elongated frame member having first and second intersecting planar segments and a defined keel line which uniformly divides each of said segments, said frame member adapted to support an elongated boat structure in substantial alignment with said defined keel line; first roller means connected to said frame member at one end of said keel line thereof and adapted to extend below the respective end of said frame member and to support the respective end of said frame member at a selected level above ground when said vehicular device is on substantially uniform level ground, said first roller means being neutrally bouyant in water and having an axis of rotation having a selected orthogonal relation with respect said keel line; and a tow tongue member connected to said frame member at the opposite end of said keel line thereof and adapted to pivot therefrom about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said first roller means, said tow tongue member having a tow point disposed from the pivot connection to said frame member and substantially in alignment with said keel line of said frame member; second roller means connected to said tow tongue member, said second roller means being water bouyant and having an axis of rotation parallel to said axis of rotation of said tow tongue pivot connection and disposed in offset relation with respect the line of force between said pivot point connection and said tow point when said vehicular device is under tow, said second roller means adapted to extend below the line of intersection of said planar segments of said frame member and to support said frame member when said vehicular device is under tow such that the line of intersection of said planar segments of said frame member is at a selected level above ground when said vehicular device is on substantially uniform level ground.
 2. A boat launching and recovery vehicular device as defined in claim 1 wherein first and second substantially identical water bouyant float members are disposed to either side of said elongated frame member substantially equidistant said defined keel line thereof.
 3. A boat launching and recovery vehicular device as defined in claim 2 wherein one of said planar segments is longer than the other and said line of intersection thereof is in the vicinity of said tow tongue pivot connection.
 4. A boat launching and recovery vehicular device as defined in claim 3 wherein said first roller means includes braking means for controlled restriction of rotation thereof. 